MIAMI (Ticker) -- With superstar Alonzo Mourning sidelined with
an injured eye, the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat looked
blind chasing the worst team in the East, the Chicago Bulls.

Ron Harper scored all of his season-high 25 points in the second
half as the Bulls avenged the most humiliating loss in franchise
history by damaging the Heat's chances of clinching home-court
advantage in the playoffs with a stunning 101-86 victory.

"I knew I had one shot in the first half, so I said, `It's my
turn now'," Harper said. "I shot one from about half court and
then I said, `Let me keep doing this'. When (Michael Jordan)
calls, I'll tell him I know how it feels."

Mourning, who is expected to play Sunday against Charlotte, was
absent from the lineup for a third straight game. Miami's
leading scorer and rebounder watched from the bench as his
teammates were outplayed throughout by a team they limited to an
NBA record-low total in a humiliating 82-49 blowout April 10.

The Heat, who also posted a 90-74 win over the Bulls on April
13, have lost three straight at home and two of three without
Mourning.

"After the last time that we played the Heat, we felt Alonzo was
the MVP of all the guys that we played against this season,"
Chicago coach Tim Floyd said. "I think this game was a
statement towards that."

Miami currently is percentage points ahead of Orlando for the
top spot in the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division. The
Heat have three games remaining, two at home.

The Magic have one game remaining and Indiana, which is just
one-half game behind the Heat, has two games left. Miami can
clinch first place by winning two of three.

Toni Kukoc had 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulls, who
snapped a 12-game road losing streak, one shy of the team mark.

"This was an excellent payback for how they played us in Chicago
and how they played us here the last time," Chicago forward
Dickey Simpkins said. "There's nothing better than to beat them
by double-digits here in their own building. I saw they needed
two wins in their next four and now they need two out of three."

Tim Hardaway scored 20 points but just three in the second half
and P.J. Brown posted his seventh double-double with 13 points
and 13 rebounds for Miami, which has allowed 100 points in
consecutive games after doing so in only two of its previous 45.

"I'm not disappointed, I'm not discouraged, I'm absolutely
disgusted," Miami coach Pat Riley said. "I think everyone in
the locker room has to feel the same way. To come here at home
with the opportunity that we have and sew up whatever edge we
have -- it's just absolutely disgusting."

Harper, who was 9-of-12 from the field over the final 24
minutes, scored 14 points in the third quarter, when the Bulls
outscored the Heat 30-14 to take control.

"(Harper) got it going for us," Floyd added. "I wish I could
take credit for it but I didn't say anything at halftime to him.
It just happened."

Rookie Cory Carr scored 15 points and Rusty LaRue added 11 off
the bench for Chicago, which shot a sparkling 58 percent
(39-of-67) from the floor and held a 41-27 advantage on the
boards.

Kukoc scored 14 points in the first half to lead the Bulls to a
48-45 lead at the break. Harper hit a running jumper before
Carr made consecutive baskets to cap a 12-2 run, giving Chicago
a 60-47 cushion with 7:08 remaining in the third quarter.

Harper, who was 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, drained consecutive
3-pointers to make it 66-49 with 5:29 left.

"I don't think I've seen Ron Harper play like that in a long
time," Riley added. "He was saving one for us, because he was
absolutely extraordinary.

"We can't let two games like this put us into a mindset that we
can't win. This league will bring you to your knees if you don't
come mentally ready to play."